5 Types of Sweet Wine

Beverage Professor

24 Apr 202210:50

Summary

TLDRIn this video, Chad from Beverage Professor explains sweet wines, ideal for beginners or those new to wine. He shares common experiences where new wine drinkers are turned off by dry wines like Cabernet. He introduces five accessible sweet wines: White Zinfandel, Moscato, Riesling, Red Moscato, and Brachetto. Chad highlights the differences in styles, regions, and characteristics, offering tips for identifying sweeter varieties. The goal is to help viewers make better wine choices, whether for personal enjoyment or for servers looking to increase tips by recommending the right wines.

Takeaways

🍷 The video is focused on introducing sweet wines for beginners and those who are unfamiliar with wine.
🤔 Many new wine drinkers struggle with dry wines, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, and prefer sweeter wines.
🍓 White Zinfandel, a pink wine, is commonly found and is made from red Zinfandel grapes with minimal skin contact to give it its blush color.
🍇 Moscato or Moscato d'Asti is a sweet wine that is slightly effervescent and is a great step up from White Zinfandel.
🇩🇪 German Riesling is a sweet wine that can be a good introduction, though it has many complexities that can be confusing for beginners.
🏷️ Riesling bottles often include a sweetness scale on the label, making it easier for buyers to determine sweetness levels.
🍫 Sweet red wines like Quady's Red Electra (Black Muscat) offer rich, chilled options for those who prefer sweeter, still wines.
🍷 Brachetto, typically found in Italy, is another sweet red wine that may be labeled 'Rosso Dolce' or 'semi-sweet' with light effervescence.
🍾 Sparkling wine varieties like Moscato d'Asti and Asti Spumante are made from the same Moscato grape but in a sparkling style.
💡 The video aims to educate viewers on selecting sweet wines and provide recommendations for beginners to avoid frustration while shopping for wine.

Q & A

What are some common misconceptions about sweet wines?
-A common misconception is that all pink wines are sweet. While white zinfandel is a sweet pink wine, not all pink wines like rosé are sweet. Another misconception is that all wines labeled 'zinfandel' are sweet, but red zinfandels are dry.
Why might a beginner not enjoy a dry red wine like Cabernet?
-Beginners might find dry red wines like Cabernet unappealing because they can be too strong and dry for someone not accustomed to wine. It's often recommended to start with sweeter wines before trying dry styles.
How is white zinfandel made?
-White zinfandel is made from the red zinfandel grape. The juice from the grape is clear, and the wine gets its pink color by allowing the skins to be in contact with the juice for a short period.
What is Moscato di Asti, and why is it popular?
-Moscato di Asti is a sweet Italian wine made from the muscat grape, known for its slight effervescence and rich, refreshing taste. It is popular because of its approachable sweetness and light, fizzy texture.
What should beginners look for when choosing a Riesling?
-Beginners should start with a Riesling that simply says 'Riesling' on the label, ideally from Germany, as they tend to be sweeter. Avoid labels that say 'Trocken,' which indicates the wine is dry.
What characteristic smell might some Rieslings have that could confuse new wine drinkers?
-Some Rieslings may have a 'petrol' or gasoline-like smell, which can confuse new drinkers. However, this is a normal characteristic of certain Rieslings and does not affect the taste.
What is the difference between white Moscato and red Moscato?
-White Moscato is made from the white muscat grape and is often slightly effervescent. Red Moscato, like Quady’s Red Electra, is made from black muscat grapes and is a still (non-sparkling) wine, offering a rich and sweet flavor.
Can sweet red wines be served chilled?
-Yes, sweet red wines can be served chilled, unlike most dry red wines that are traditionally served at room temperature. Chilling enhances the refreshing quality of the sweeter red varieties.
What is Brachetto, and how can you recognize it on a label?
-Brachetto is a sweet red wine from Italy, often slightly sparkling. It might be labeled as 'Brachetto d’Acqui' or simply 'Rosso Dolce' or 'semi-sweet,' indicating its sweetness level.
How can you quickly tell the sweetness level of a Riesling from the label?
-Some Riesling bottles include a sweetness scale on the back label, showing the wine's position from dry to sweet. This helps buyers choose according to their preference.

Outlines

00:00

🍷 Introduction to Sweet Wines for Beginners

The speaker shares an experience of helping a young wine shopper and a beer drinker discover their taste for sweeter wines. The speaker emphasizes that beginners might not enjoy dry red wines like Cabernet and relates it to trying an intense dark chocolate without a taste for it yet. The goal is to explore sweet wines that are more approachable for newcomers.

05:01

🍇 White Zinfandel: A Popular Sweet Pink Wine

White Zinfandel is introduced as a pink wine made from the red Zinfandel grape, offering a sweet option for beginners. The speaker explains the winemaking process, where the juice is clear, and skin contact gives it the pink color. It's noted that not all pink wines are sweet, using the example of rosé, and warns that red Zinfandel wines are dry, not sweet.

10:02

🍑 Moscato: A Sweet, Effervescent Delight

Moscato, particularly Moscato d'Asti, is highlighted as a sweet wine perfect for beginners. The speaker describes it as a refreshing wine with a light effervescence, great for those looking to explore beyond White Zinfandel. Moscato's sweetness and bubbly nature make it a popular choice, and the same grape is used for sparkling wines like Asti.

🍏 Riesling: A Versatile Wine for Every Palate

The speaker introduces Riesling, especially German Rieslings, which are often sweeter. Riesling can be complex with different ripeness levels, so beginners are advised to stick with basic Rieslings. A sweetness scale on some labels helps indicate whether the wine is dry, medium sweet, or sweet. The speaker also explains that some Rieslings have a 'petrol' aroma but assures it doesn't affect the taste.

🍇 Red Moscato: A Sweeter Red Option

Red Moscato, made from the black Muscat grape, offers a sweet alternative for red wine drinkers. The speaker highlights its richness and notes that it should be served chilled, unlike typical red wines. This wine lacks the effervescence of Moscato d'Asti but still delivers a sweet and pleasant flavor.

🍷 Brachetto: A Sweet Italian Sparkling Red

Brachetto, or Brachetto d’Acqui, is presented as a sweet red wine with a slight effervescence, originating from Italy. The speaker mentions that it may be labeled as 'Rosso Dolce' or 'semi-sweet' and is a popular choice with lower alcohol content. The wine's light frizzante bubbles make it a refreshing, sweet option for red wine lovers.

💡 Sweet Wine Recommendations and Final Thoughts

The speaker wraps up by recommending a selection of sweet wines for beginners. The goal is to help viewers make better wine choices without wasting money on wines they might not enjoy. The video encourages viewers to share the content, subscribe, and use the knowledge to make informed wine decisions, whether for personal enjoyment or as a server looking to improve tips.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Sweet Wines

Sweet wines are wines that have a higher sugar content, making them taste sweeter compared to dry wines. In the video, the presenter discusses various sweet wines like Moscato and Riesling as good options for beginners or those who typically don't enjoy wine due to its dryness. These wines are suggested as entry points for those looking to explore wine in a more approachable and pleasant way.

💡White Zinfandel

White Zinfandel is a pink wine made from the red Zinfandel grape. It is a popular sweet wine often recommended for beginners. The video highlights that, despite its color, not all pink wines are sweet, but White Zinfandel typically is. The presenter notes that it is made by keeping the skins of the grape in contact with the juice for a short time, giving it its blush color.

💡Moscato

Moscato is a sweet, often lightly effervescent wine, commonly made from the Muscat grape. It is described in the video as an excellent choice for those who enjoy sweet wines. The presenter notes that Moscato is commonly found as Moscato d’Asti, a slightly fizzy Italian variety, and it is sweeter and more popular than other sweet wines like White Zinfandel.

💡Riesling

Riesling is a versatile wine grape that can produce both sweet and dry wines, although the presenter emphasizes the sweeter, entry-level German Rieslings in this video. Riesling is recommended for those who want to explore more complex flavors while staying within the sweeter wine spectrum. The video also warns beginners to avoid the drier versions of Riesling if they prefer sweeter options.

💡Effervescence

Effervescence refers to the presence of bubbles or fizz in a wine. In the video, Moscato d’Asti and certain other sweet wines like Brachetto are mentioned as having a slight frizzante or effervescence. This quality can add a refreshing and light texture to sweet wines, making them more enjoyable for those new to wine.

💡Dry Wines

Dry wines are wines with little to no residual sugar, resulting in a less sweet, sometimes more bitter taste. The video references Cabernet Sauvignon as an example of a dry wine that might not appeal to someone new to wine drinking. The presenter uses the example of trying a dry wine like a cabernet first and disliking it, which is common among beginners.

💡Muscat Grape

The Muscat grape is the grape variety used to produce Moscato wines. In the video, the presenter explains that Muscat grapes can be used to make both white (Moscato) and red wines (like Red Electra from Quady). These grapes are known for their natural sweetness and fruity aromas, making them ideal for producing sweet wines.

💡Brachetto

Brachetto is a red Italian wine known for being sweet and slightly effervescent. The video describes Brachetto as a popular option for those who want to try a sweet red wine, with hints that some varieties are labeled as ‘semi-sweet’ or 'Rosso Dolce.' Brachetto offers an approachable, sweet, and slightly bubbly alternative for those looking to expand beyond sweet white wines.

💡Wine Tasting

Wine tasting is the process of sampling different types of wine to evaluate and compare their flavors, aromas, and other characteristics. The presenter mentions wine tasting in the context of helping customers find wines they enjoy, particularly by guiding them toward sweeter options if they are unfamiliar with wine. It plays a central role in how the presenter educates viewers on different types of sweet wines.

💡Beginner Wine Drinkers

Beginner wine drinkers are individuals who are new to the experience of wine tasting and may not be familiar with different wine styles. In the video, the presenter emphasizes that many beginners may not like dry, red wines and are better suited to starting with sweet wines like Moscato, Riesling, or White Zinfandel. These suggestions are aimed at making the introduction to wine more enjoyable for those unfamiliar with its diverse offerings.

Highlights

The host introduces himself as Chad from Beverage Professor, a channel designed to teach viewers about all things related to alcohol.

Chad encounters a younger person at a wine store trying to learn about wine after not liking a Cabernet his dad gave him.

The host explains that beginners might not like dry red wines, especially Cabernets, and suggests starting with sweeter wines instead.

Chad recalls an instance where a beer drinker disliked wine until he tried a sweeter variety, which he enjoyed.

The host likens trying a dry red wine as a beginner to trying 92% dark chocolate for the first time, emphasizing the importance of starting with sweeter varieties.

The first sweet wine recommended is White Zinfandel, a pink wine made from the red Zinfandel grape. He clarifies that not all pink wines are sweet.

Chad introduces Moscato (or Moscato d'Asti), another popular sweet wine option with a slightly effervescent or frizzante texture.

The host mentions the growing trend of people preferring Moscato d'Asti over other similar styles due to its sweetness and refreshing quality.

Chad touches on Riesling wines, suggesting that beginners start with German Rieslings, which tend to be sweeter and less confusing.

The Riesling section includes a helpful tip about some bottles featuring sweetness scales on the back, guiding consumers on whether the wine is dry, medium-sweet, or sweet.

Chad talks about the petrol smell that some Riesling wines can have, assuring viewers it’s normal and doesn’t affect the wine's taste.

He introduces Red Moscato, specifically the Quady's Red Electra, made from Black Muscat grapes, highlighting its richness and sweet flavor.

The host mentions that sweet reds like Red Moscato can be chilled, which is unusual for red wines but enhances their flavor.

Chad introduces Brachetto, a lesser-known Italian grape often found in sweet red wines, sometimes labeled as 'Rosso Dolce' or semi-sweet.

The video concludes with Chad encouraging viewers to explore sweet wines and reassuring them that these recommendations are beginner-friendly choices.